Israel, US-Iran conflict widens

New Delhi, Mar 2: The conflict in West Asia intensified on Monday with Iran ruling out negotiations with the United States even as fresh strikes and counter-strikes were reported across the region.

The situation in Iran continues to remain tense as hundreds of civilians, political and military persons were killed, perhaps the most difficult since the 1979 revolution.  Many political analysts remain sceptical of a regime change, the main objective of the US-Israel in the near future.

A senior Iranian official was quoted as saying that Tehran ìwill not negotiateî with Washington amid the ongoing hostilities. Explosions were reported in Gulf cities, including Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, signalling a widening arc of instability. In Saudi Arabia, authorities said a fire at the Ras Tanura refinery was brought under control after drones were intercepted nearby.

Meanwhile, a joint statement by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the United States condemned what it described as Iranís ìindiscriminate and reckless missile and drone attacksî.

The GCC, comprising the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait, accused Iran of targeting civilian facilities and residential areas and violating international law.

While urging dialogue, the bloc warned it would take ìall necessary measuresî to safeguard its security.

In Kuwait, the military said ìseveralî US fighter aircraft had crashed, though crew members were unharmed.

The cause of the incidents is under investigation, with footage of one aircraft plunging to the ground circulating online.

The conflict has also escalated along Israelís northern front.

The Lebanese health ministry said Israeli strikes in Beirut and southern Lebanon killed at least 31 people.

Israel maintained it was responding to attacks by Hezbollah.

The Israel Defense Forces Chief of the General Staff, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, said ìmany more days of combat lie aheadî and urged Israelis to show patience and resilience.

He also acknowledged casualties in Beit Shemesh.

In Washington, President Donald Trump said there would ìlikely be moreî American casualties as operations continue until ìall objectivesî are achieved.

According to media reports, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior defence officials are set to brief Congress on the Iran situation on Tuesday evening.

The United States Central Command (Centcom) said more than 1000 Iranian targets had been struck in the first 24 hours of ìOperation Epic Furyî, including command and control centres, ballistic missile sites and facilities linked to Iranís Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

US military assets deployed reportedly include stealth bombers, fighter jets, drones and anti-missile systems.

European powers including the UK, France and Germany have indicated coordination with the US and regional allies.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has allowed the use of UK bases for strikes on Iranian missile depots.

Military analysts fear that the conflict could intensify further before any diplomatic breakthrough emerges.